Car-coupling



(NoModelJ J. A. RICHARD.

OAR COUPLING.

Patented Apr. 12, 1887.

.UNITED STATES PATENT ()EEIcE.

JOSEPH A. RICHARD, OF ST. LOUIS, MICHIGAN.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 361,184, dated April 12, 1887.

' Application filed January 81, 1887. Serial No. 226.080. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH A. Brennan, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the county of Gratiot and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oar-Couplings; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to carcouplings which automaticallycouple the cars when run together, and can be actuated to uncouple the cars at pleasure from the top, sides, or any convenient point without the necessity of the brakenian going between the cars for the purpose.

The object of the invention is to simplify the construction of such devices, and to devise a simple arrangement for counterbalancing the link and controlling its position by the couplingpin, and to contrive a means for guiding the coupling-pin in its movements and holding the same in an elevated position by a latch adapted to fold within the guide, and which latch is adapted to be struck by the link when the same is inserted therein for permitting the coupling-pin to drop. The improvement consists in having the draw-head provided with one long opening through the upper side, extending into the throat, and two openings through the lower side thereof, which likewise extend into the throat and are directly opposite the long opening and located at each end thereof, and in having'the coupling-pin, which is adapted to pass through the long opening and the forward opening of the two openings, provided with aguide adapted to work through the long opening and the rear opening of the two openings, said guide being provided with a latch which is designed to hold the couplingpin elevated till struck by the link, when the pin will fall. The weight of the pin holds the link in a horizontal position, and when the pin is slightly elevated the link will incline to 5o,a horizontal planefor lowering its outer end in case the draw-head of the car to be coupled is lower.

any desired manner, and is provided with the usual throat, a, from which extends the opening b through the upper side and the openings b and I) through the under side thereof. The openings b and b are directly in line with the opening I), and are located opposite each end thereof and have the imperforate portion 1) between them. The portion b is in a horizontal plane; but the portion of the draw-head in advance thereof, and through which the opening b extends, inclines outwardly and downwardly, as shown.

The coupling-pin D is adapted to work through the front end of the opening I) and through the opening I), and is directed in its movements by the guide E, parallel therewith and working through the rear end of the opening b and through the opening b". The guide and coupling-pin are united by the head F, which has a flange, f, near its top, for overlapping the sides of the opening I) and preventing the pin dropping through the draw-head. That portion f of the head below the flange f is of a width to enter and fit within the opening 1), and its lower side extends some distance within the throat, so as to rest upon the link and hold the same in a horizontal plane. The guide is much longer than the coupling-pin, and has a stop or pin, E, at its lower end to limit the upward movement of it and the coupling-pin.

The latch is -shaped, andis fitted in a groove, 6, of corresponding shape, formed in the under side of the head and in the forward side of the guide, and is pivoted at its forward end, 9, within the head. The lower front corner is cut away, forming a shoulder, g, which is pointed, and a projecting end or stop, 9". The tendency of the latch is to swing outward, and when the coupling-pin is elevated the shoulder 9 thereof will spring forward of the opening I) and engage a notch, b, in the portion b The projecting end or stop 9 striking ICO against the front side of the opening b limits the forward movement of the latch. In practice the link H strikes the latch and disengages the shoulder thereof from the draw-bar, and allows the pin to fall and engage the link, the inner end of which fits between the pin and guide and is held down by the head bearing thereon.

The coupling-pin, it will be observed, acts as acounter-balance for the link, and holds the same in a horizontal plane. If the outer end of the link should be too high, it can be lowered by elevating the coupling-pin, which will permit the link to incline, as will be readily understood.

The pin can be elevated in any desired manner, and for this purpose I have shown the rook-shaft l, journalcd in suitable bearings to the front of the car, the arini at its inner end,

which arm is connected at its outer end with the head F of the coupling'pin by the chain or cable 5, and the hand-lever l at the outer end of the shaft.

To prevent coupling, the rock-shaft has a reversible arm, to be operated to hold the coupling-pin up and prevent the coupling when desired. This is done by throwing the end of the rocleshaft the coupling-pin is attached to up in position. Then reverse the reversible handle, throwing the rock-shaft in the shape of the letter 2, with the reversible end down on the end of car. Put the end of re versible handle of rockshaft over the staplepin that is on the end of car, to prevent accidents. In this position the coupling is prevented. The reversing of movements liberates the coupling-pin for self-coupling.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

1. The combination, with the draw-head having a long opening through its upper side and two openings through its lower side, of the coupling-pin, the guide, and the head F, uniting the pin and guide and having a portion adapted to fit in the long opening and bear upon the link and a flange extended from the sides of the head for resting upon the draw-head and overlapping the joint between the sides of said head F and the sides of the opening, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with the coupling-pin, the guide, and the head, of tho '1 shaped latch pivoted at its upper end between the pin and guide, substantially as described.

3. The combination, with the coupling-pin, the guide, and the head, of the '1 shaped latch fitted in a groove in the head and guide and pivoted at its forward end to the head, sub stantially as shown and described.

4. The combination, with the draw-head having a long opening in its upper side and two openings in its lower side and an iiupen forate portion between the lower openings, of the coupling-pin, the guide, the head, and the latch having its lower forward corner cutaway, forming a shoulder and stop, substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

5. The combination, with the coupling-pin and the rock-shaft connected therewith, of the reversible lever, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH A RICH A RD.

\Vitucsses:

LEIGHTON RICHARD, IRA Davnxrom. 

